Dear Ohio Nurses,
Regardless of how busy you are, how short staffed you are, or how how the patient acuity is on a particular unit, you have a professional and legal obligation to accurately document your administration, handling, and waste of a controlled substance.
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/Communications_Office/summaries/2003/0618/020230.asp
You can be investigated by your employer and terminated, reported to the Nursing Board and investigated by the Nursing Board, and reported to local law enforcement and criminal charged and indicted for illegal processing of drug documents. Its happening all to frequently to Ohio nurses in cases where theft of drugs can't be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Do not underestimate or blow off the importance of adequate and appropriate documentation of medication administration. 5-10 years ago, prosecutors weren't touching these types of cases because these cases weren't being reported by healthcare organizations.
Healthcare organizations know their reporting obligations and are taking steps to minimize their liability by reporting. Also there is a war on drugs and multiple county, state, and federal agencies are involved with combating illegal drug use. The paper trail or lack thereof will be there in these cases. The Prosecutor doesn't have to prove theft of drugs, just the failure to document in accordance with facility policy and laws and regulations.
If you want to gamble, go to one of the Indiana Casinos. I would be willing to meet you there to gamble with you. Do not gamble with your nursing license; its your livelihood at stake and being charged with a drug related felony may, can, and/or will ADVERSELY impact your license, your career, and your life.
If you need help with a chemical dependency or addiction, get help ASAP.
If your issue is not dependency and just sloppy nursing practice, get out the mop and broom and clean up your nursing practice because you can be charged and convicted of Illegal Processing of Drug Documents for not documenting the administration and waste of a "dangerous drug" in accordance with the Ohio law, facility policy, and professional practice standards. Slow down and document. There is no excuse for not protecting yourself by and through documentation in today's highly regulated healthcare environment. Document as if your life and your license depended on it because in a way it does.
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